Novel Editing Services
Using my deep love and knowledge of the speculative fiction genre to help authors bring their vision to fruition is one of my greatest pleasures. Here's a look at the novel editing services I offer and what you can expect from them.
Manuscript Critique
A manuscript critique is an in-depth edit focusing on the big picture aspects of your story. Newer authors, authors with a budget, or those good at applying broad spectrum advice may be interested in this service. A manuscript critique will teach you about the basics of story telling. This includes things like plot, structure, characterization, and theme. It also provides a few examples of what works well and where your manuscript can be improved.
What you’ll get: a comprehensive editorial report (typically between 8 to 15 pages) assessing the storytelling elements of your novel and suggesting ways to improve the work.
Substantive Editing
A substantive edit is an in-depth edit focusing on the big picture aspects of the story. This type of edit is great for newer authors or authors trying their hand at a new genre. It will teach you about the basics of story telling (plot, structure, characterization, theme, etc.) and provide you with specific in-text examples of how to apply this knowledge to your novel. A substantive edit will help you bring your novel even closer to the story you’ve been imagining.
As a speculative fiction specialist, I leverage my background in outdoor adventure naturalism to ensure the worlds and creatures you’ve created are believable and engaging.
What you’ll get: a comprehensive editorial report (typically between 8 to 15 pages) assessing the storytelling elements of your novel, plus edits and notes in the manuscript pages.
Stylistic Editing
A stylistic edit is all about readability and flow. This type of editing is for authors looking to tighten their prose and strengthen their authorial voice. It will clarify meaning, improve sentence construction, and ensure reading level and tone are appropriate for the intended audience. In a stylistic edit, I go through your manuscript line-by-line to ensure your words and sentences are hitting the right notes and staying true to your melody.
What you’ll get: an expanded editorial report (typically between 3 to 8 pages) detailing your writing style strengths and weaknesses, edits and notes in the manuscript pages, and a style sheet if you don't already have one.
Copy Editing
This service is reserved for publishers and indie clients whose manuscript has already been through a substantive and stylistic edit.
A copy edit focuses on the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage, and style. It ensures the overall consistency and correctness of a document. Copy editing also includes suggestions to improve clarity and scene organization.
What you’ll get: a basic editorial report (typically between 2 to 5 pages) detailing your writing strengths and weaknesses, edits and notes in the manuscript pages, and a style sheet if you don’t already have one.
Coaching Services
As a writing coach, I help speculative fiction writers flesh out their story ideas and shape them into a workable draft. I strive to create safe, supportive environments for writers to explore and expand their storytelling skills. In my group coaching and one-on-one coaching sessions, I have helped writers complete a wide variety of projects including novels, plays, short stories, and poetry anthologies.
Zombie Package
Pick my brains!
Do you have questions about novel creation, but no bandwidth for going down the internet rabbit hole to find answers? Why not just ask someone who knows? The zombie package let’s you pick my brains for one hour. Ask me all the pressing questions you have about writing, revising, editing, or self-publishing novels.
What you’ll get: a 1-hour session to ask questions and figure out what your next steps should be.
Dragon Package
Let's grow that idea horde and protect your writing time!
One idea can inspire a novel, but it takes many ideas to make your story elements work together. With the dragon package, we’ll explore your existing plot, worldbuilding, and characters, and create shiny additions to add to your horde as necessary. We’ll also develop strategies for prioritizing your writing and ensuring you stay on top of your writing goals.
What you’ll get: four 1-hour video calls (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) plus email support between sessions.
Shadow Being Package
You can’t escape this shadow. It wants to know why you aren’t writing.
Need help staying accountable to your writing goals? The shadow being package can help! We will discuss your writing habits, create realistic and actionable goals, and help you make progress at the pace that works best for you.
What you’ll get: four 30-minute video calls (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) plus email support between sessions.
Frankenstein Package
That draft isn’t dead; it just needs a few more body parts and some stronger stitches.
Revising a novel is no easy task. With the Frankenstein package, we’ll decide which story parts are fresh enough to use and which need a little extra stitching to keep it all together. We’ll also develop a plan to bring it all to life in a way that works best for you.
What you’ll get: four 1-hour video calls (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) plus email support between sessions.
Rates
Rates vary depending on the coaching package or novel editing services you request. All quotes are in Canadian dollars. A 50% deposit is required to hold your place in my schedule. Payment plans are available.